John Hamerlinck has spoken and written extensively on topics related to civic engagement. He has facilitated trainings in Asset-Based Community Development throughout the country. He has experience in the philanthropic, government, and higher education sectors. John spent 10 years at Minnesota Campus Compact, where among other duties he directed the Center for Digital Civic Engagement, and CLIO (Civic Leadership Initiative Online). He has a B.A. in American Studies and a M.S. in Social Responsibility from St. Cloud State University. His latest work, Locking Arms, Changing Communities: Leading Grassroots Change, expands on the short essays on his popular website, Leading Differently: Useful Explorations for People Who Want to Change the World. The book looks at the concept of leadership outside of the usual positional, organizational model, and discusses how anyone can lead efforts to improve the quality of life in their own community. The book is strongly influenced by the collaborative organizing strategies of Asset Based Community Development. John is also co-author on two books: Asset-Based Community Engagement in Higher Education, by John Hamerlinck & Julie Plaut, and Civic Engagement in Higher Education by John Hamerlinck & JoAnn Campbell.